Balance Ring for a Washing Machine Appliance

ABSTRACT

A washing machine appliance includes a tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub. A balance ring is disposed on the basket. The balance ring includes a ring body defining an internal volume and a dilatant balancing fluid disposed within the internal volume of the ring body. The dilatant balancing fluid may distribute within the internal volume of the ring body in order to assist with reducing noise and vibration of the basket during rotation of the basket within the tub.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to balance rings for appliances, such as washing machine appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the operation of a washing machine, particularly during spin cycles, the machine can sometimes experience an extreme vibration. These vibrations can cause displacement of the washing machine as it “walks” across a surface, such as a floor. Typically, this event is due to the different shapes and densities of the clothing or other articles that are being washed which, after the washing cycle and draining the wash basket, can stick together and cause differences in the center of mass inside the wash basket. The vibration problem can also be caused by the introduction of relatively heavier articles into the wash basket, e.g., shoes.

By way of example, after the washing cycle and draining of the washing liquid from the wash basket, the shoes or other, relatively heavier articles may be located on one side of the wash basket or in a manner that causes the center of mass of the combined wash basket and articles (such as the shoes, clothes, and other items being washed) to be off center. As the wash basket is rotated, particularly at high speeds, the off-centering and centrifugal forces creates an imbalance that can generate undesired strain in the washing machine components, an undesirable level of noise and/or “walking” of the appliance. In an extreme or prolonged situation, the imbalance created by the excessive vibration can also wear-out and damage the washing machine components.

As a result, in order to counter the out of balance wash load, various devices have been proposed. For example, washing machines have been equipped with balance rings, which are typically placed on the top and sometimes bottom of the wash basket. Inside the ring (or toroid) a weight such as a fluid and/or movable metal objects has been inserted. During operation, the ring acts as a counterweight to the out of balance load of clothes because the fluid and/or metal object moves to a position within the ring that counters the centrifugal forces created by the articles in the wash basket so as to balance the overall mass of the articles in the wash basket.

Thus, for balance rings that incorporate a fluid, during spinning of the wash basket the fluid must be able to redistribute so to act as a counterweight to an out of balance of mass of the articles in the wash basket. Sometimes, however, as the rotational speed of the wash basket increases during a spin cycle, one or more critical speeds (i.e. resonant modes) are reached. At these critical speeds, the translational motion of the balance ring can be severe enough distribute the fluid in a manner that prevents it from properly counteracting the out of balance wash load. In fact, the fluid may even be distributed in a manner that reinforces the tub motion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a washing machine appliance. The washing machine appliance includes a tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub. A balance ring is disposed on the basket. The balance ring includes a ring body defining an internal volume and a dilatant balancing fluid disposed within the internal volume of the ring body. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine includes a tub and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub. A balance ring is disposed on the basket. The balance ring includes a ring body defining an internal volume. A dilatant balancing fluid is disposed within the internal volume of the ring body.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a vertical axis washing machine appliance is provided. The vertical axis washing machine appliance includes a tub and a basket positioned within the tub. The basket is mounted within the tub such that the basket is rotatable about a vertical axis. A balance ring is disposed on the basket at a top portion of the basket. The balance ring includes a ring body defining an internal volume. A dilatant balancing fluid is disposed within the internal volume of the ring body.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of washing machine appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a section view of the exemplary washing machine appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a section view of a balance ring according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view an exemplary vertical axis washing machine 50 including a cabinet 52 and a top cover 54. FIG. 2 provides a side, section view of washing machine 50. A backsplash 56 extends from cover 54. A control panel 58 including a plurality of input selectors 60 is coupled to backsplash 56. Control panel 58 and input selectors 60 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features, and in one embodiment, a display 64 indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to machine users. A lid 62 is mounted to cover 54 and is rotatable about a hinge (not shown) between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash tub 78 located within cabinet 52, and a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) forming an enclosure over wash tub 78.

A wash basket 76 is located within wash tub 78 in spaced apart relationship from tub 78. Articles for washing are placed within basket 76. A motor 80 is used to selectively spin wash basket 76 during various cycles of the appliance. Wash basket 76 includes a plurality of openings 70 that facilitate the movement of fluid in and out of basket 76 within wash tub 78. When wash basket 76 is rotated at high speed during e.g., a spin cycle, openings 70 in wash basket 76 allow fluid to be wrung from the articles such as clothing located in basket 76.

An agitation element such as agitator 72 with blades 74, impeller, auger, or oscillatory basket mechanism, or some combination thereof is disposed in basket 76 to impart an oscillatory motion to articles and liquid in basket 76 using motor 80. In different embodiments, agitation element 72 can include a single action element (i.e., oscillatory only), double action (oscillatory movement at one end, single direction rotation at the other end) or triple action (oscillatory movement plus single direction rotation at one end, singe direction rotation at the other end). As illustrated in FIG. 2, agitation element 72 is oriented to rotate about a vertical axis A.

Operation of washing machine 50 is controlled by a controller or processing device (not shown), that is operatively coupled to the user interface input or control panel 58 located on washing machine backsplash 56 (shown in FIG. 1), which allows e.g., for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. More particularly, in response to user manipulation of the user interface input, the controller operates the various components of washing machine 50 to execute selected machine cycles and features.

For example, in an illustrative embodiment, laundry items are loaded into basket 76, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of control input selectors 60 (shown in FIG. 1). Wash tub 78 is filled with water and mixed with detergent to form a wash fluid, and contents of the basket 76 are agitated with agitation element 72 for cleansing of laundry items in basket 76. More specifically, agitation element 72 is moved back and forth in an oscillatory back and forth motion.

After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash tub 78 can be drained with a pump assembly (not shown). Laundry items are then rinsed and portions of the cycle repeated, including the agitation phase, depending on the particulars of the wash cycle selected by a user. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, wash basket 76 is rotated at relatively high speeds.

While described in the context of a specific embodiment of vertical axis washing machine appliance 50, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that vertical axis washing machine appliance 50 is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well.

As previously described, the articles inside basket 76 can sometimes cause an imbalance leading to undesirable vibrations of washing machine 50 during operation. Accordingly, for this exemplary embodiment, washing machine 50 is equipped with balance rings 66 and 68 that operate to counteract imbalances in the wash load placed into wash basket 76. Balance rings 66 and 68 are shown in cross section in FIG. 2 but should be understood to extend circumferentially about wash basket 76. For this exemplary embodiment, balance rings 66 and 68 are mounted to an exterior surface 82 of wash basket 76 and other techniques for positioning on basket 76 may also be used. Also, although shown with a balance ring positioned at both a top and bottom of wash basket 76, it should be understood that only one such balance ring—particularly at the top of wash basket 76 as with balance ring 66—may be used in other exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Balance rings 66 and 68 include features for controlling movement of a fluid in such rings that offsets an imbalance of articles in wash basket 76.

FIG. 3 provides a top, section view of a balance ring 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Balance ring 100 may be used in or with any suitable washing machine appliance. For example, balance ring 100 may be used in or with washing machine 50, as one of balance rings 66 and 68. Thus, balance ring 100 is described in greater detail below in the context of washing machine 50. Balance ring 100 includes features for movement of a dilatant balancing fluid F in balance ring 100 in order to offset an imbalance of articles in wash basket 76, as discussed in greater detail below.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, balance ring 100 includes a ring body 110. Ring body 110 may include an inner wall 112 and an outer wall 114, e.g., that are radially spaced apart from each other. Inner wall 112 of ring body 110 may be positioned at or on wash basket 76. Conversely, outer wall 114 of ring body may be spaced apart from wash basket 76. Inner wall 112 and outer wall 114 of ring body 110 may be annular, as shown in FIG. 3. Ring body 110 may be constructed of or with any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. As an example, ring body 110 may be constructed with a single piece of integrally formed material or with multiple molded plastic components mounted to each other. Thus, inner wall 112 and outer wall 114 of ring body 110 may be formed from a common piece or from separate pieces of material.

Ring body 110 also defines a chamber or internal volume 116. Internal volume 116 may be disposed or defined between inner and outer walls 112 and 114 of ring body 110. Internal volume 116 of ring body 110 is partially filled with a dilatant balancing fluid F, as discussed in greater detail below.

A plurality of baffles 118 may be mounted to or formed on ring body 110 at internal volume 116 of ring body 110. As an example, baffles 118 may be mounted to or formed on outer wall 114 of ring body 110, e.g., such that baffles 118 extend radially from outer wall 114 of ring body 110 towards inner wall 112 of ring body 110, as shown in FIG. 3. In alternative exemplary embodiments, baffles 118 may be mounted to or formed on inner wall 112 of ring body 110, e.g., such that baffles 118 extend radially from inner wall 112 of ring body 110 towards outer wall 114 of ring body 110. Any suitable combination of the above described baffle positions may also be utilized in ring body 110.

Baffles 118 may interrupt a flow of the dilatant balancing fluid F within internal volume 116 of ring body 110. Thus, baffles 118 may assist with forming a series of adjacent compartments within internal volume 116 of ring body 110 and thereby assist with distribution of the dilatant balancing fluid F within internal volume 116 of ring body 110 during operation of washing machine 50. In certain exemplary embodiments, balance ring 100 need not include baffles 118, e.g., due to the physical characteristics of the dilatant balancing fluid F.

As discussed above, the dilatant balancing fluid F is disposed within internal volume 116 of ring body 110. Thus, the dilatant balancing fluid F may flow through internal volume 116 of ring body 110 in order to offset an imbalance of articles in wash basket 76. In particular, the dilatant balancing fluid F is a non-Newtonian shear thickening fluid. Thus, a shear viscosity of the dilatant balancing fluid F increases with applied shear stress, and the shear viscosity of the dilatant balancing fluid F is greater when wash basket 76 is accelerating than when wash basket 76 is not accelerating. Such physical characteristics of the dilatant balancing fluid F can assist with distributing the dilatant balancing fluid F in a desirable manner within internal volume 116 of ring body 110. For example, by increasing the shear viscosity of the dilatant balancing fluid F, flow of the dilatant balancing fluid F within internal volume 116 of ring body 110 is impeded when wash basket 76 is accelerating. Conversely, the dilatant balancing fluid F may flow more freely within internal volume 116 of ring body 110 when wash basket 76 is not accelerating (e.g., stopped or rotating at a constant velocity). Thus, motion of the dilatant balancing fluid F within internal volume 116 of ring body 110 may be limited when wash basket 76 is accelerating, and the dilatant balancing fluid F may quickly move and redistribute within internal volume 116 of ring body 110 when wash basket 76 is not accelerating. In such a manner, noise and vibration of wash basket 76 and/or balance ring 100 may be reduced during operation of washing machine 50.

The dilatant balancing fluid F may be any suitable non-Newtonian shear thickening fluid. For example, the dilatant balancing fluid F may include a mixture of water and starch, e.g., cornstarch. As another example, the dilatant balancing fluid F may include a mixture of silica and polyethylene glycol. Ring body 110 may be closed in order to seal the dilatant balancing fluid F within internal volume 116 of ring body 110. Thus, internal volume 116 of ring body 110 may be non-contiguous with ambient air about balance ring 100. By sealing the internal volume 116 of ring body 110, dilution of the dilatant balancing fluid F may be limited or prevented. For example, water in washing machine 50 may blocked from entering internal volume 116 of ring body 110 and thereby diluting the dilatant balancing fluid F. In such a manner, the dilatant balancing fluid F may be encased or enclosed within balance ring 100 in order to maintain the non-Newtonian shear thickening properties of the dilatant balancing fluid F.

It should be understood that the present subject matter may be used in or within any suitable balance ring in alternative exemplary embodiments. For example, dilatant balancing fluid F may be used within the balance ring described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,150,994 of Paul Owen Davis, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. Thus, it should be understood that the exemplary balance ring 100 described above is not intended to limit the present subject matter to the particular balance ring structure shown in FIG. 3.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine appliance, comprising: a tub; a basket rotatably mounted within the tub; a balance ring disposed on the basket, the balance ring comprising a ring body defining an internal volume; and a dilatant balancing fluid disposed within the internal volume of the ring body.
 2. The washing machine appliance of claim 1, wherein the dilatant balancing fluid comprises a non-Newtonian shear thickening fluid having a shear viscosity that increases with applied shear stress.
 3. The washing machine appliance of claim 2, wherein the shear viscosity of the dilatant balancing fluid increases when the basket is accelerating.
 4. The washing machine appliance of claim 1, wherein the dilatant balancing fluid comprises water and starch.
 5. The washing machine appliance of claim 1, wherein the dilatant balancing fluid comprises silica and polyethylene glycol.
 6. The washing machine appliance of claim 1, wherein the balance ring further comprises a plurality of baffles mounted to the ring body within the internal volume of the ring body.
 7. The washing machine appliance of claim 6, wherein the baffles of the plurality of baffles are circumferentially distributed on the ring body within the internal volume of the ring body.
 8. The washing machine appliance of claim 1, wherein the ring body is sealed such that the internal volume of the ring body is closed from ambient air about the ring body.
 9. The washing machine appliance of claim 1, wherein the balance ring is disposed on the basket at a top portion of the basket.
 10. The washing machine appliance of claim 1, wherein the basket is positioned and oriented for rotating within the tub about a vertical axis.
 11. A vertical axis washing machine appliance, comprising: a tub; a basket positioned within the tub, the basket mounted within the tub such that the basket is rotatable about a vertical axis; a balance ring disposed on the basket at a top portion of the basket, the balance ring comprising a ring body defining an internal volume; and a dilatant balancing fluid disposed within the internal volume of the ring body.
 12. The vertical axis washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the dilatant balancing fluid comprises a non-Newtonian shear thickening fluid having a shear viscosity that increases with applied shear stress.
 13. The vertical axis washing machine appliance of claim 12, wherein the shear viscosity of the dilatant balancing fluid increases when the basket is accelerating.
 14. The vertical axis washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the dilatant balancing fluid comprises water and starch.
 15. The vertical axis washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the dilatant balancing fluid comprises silica and polyethylene glycol.
 16. The vertical axis washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the balance ring further comprises a plurality of baffles mounted to the ring body within the internal volume of the ring body.
 17. The vertical axis washing machine appliance of claim 16, wherein the baffles of the plurality of baffles are circumferentially distributed on the ring body within the internal volume of the ring body.
 18. The vertical axis washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the ring body is sealed such that the internal volume of the ring body is closed from ambient air about the ring body. 